Press Statement by James Masango, DA Mayoral Candidate in Govan Mbeki
-Ratepayers deserve a municipality that can keep the lights on.
-The growing darkness is fostering crime in the municipality.
-DA calls on the Mayor to attend to dysfunctional streetlights.
1 September 2026
Release: Immediate
The Democratic Alliance in Govan Mbeki has written to the Mayor, Nhlakanipho Zuma, calling on him to act on dysfunctional streetlights throughout the municipality.
For several years, residents throughout the municipality have been plagued by the municipality’s inability to maintain streetlights as a result of poor financial management, weak financial controls, poor revenue generation and maladministration.
Based on information obtained in the municipality’s Section 71 report, it is concerning to note that the municipality is projecting a deficit of R515 million for the 2026/27 financial year. Together with the above, the fact that the municipality owes R7.9 billion to its creditors like Eskom and Rand Water, a situation which severely hindered the delivery of services.
Upon a recent oversight, we discovered that large parts of Leandra, Lebohang, Leslie and Evander have been without functional streetlights for the past couple of months, despite owning a cherry picker.
The DA finds the above extremely concerning, especially since residents have stated that they are plagued by daily house breakings and muggings. It can never be business as usual while residents are being made to pay for a collapsed municipality.
Residents should take note of such shortcomings, the DA, is ready to take over Govan Mbeki and introduce policies that will keep the lights on. This includes replacing old streetlights with LED bulbs, which are more energy efficient.
Electricity demand will also be managed and reduced by providing residents with solar rooftop geysers via private suppliers and cross-subsidisation.
The residents of Govan Mbeki have endured dismal service delivery for far too long. In the upcoming local government elections vote DA to keep Govan Mbeki’s lights on.
A DA-led Govan Mbeki will fix broken billing systems, ensure that municipalities collect what they are owed and ensure that infrastructure is consistently maintained.
For media queries
James Masango
DA Mayoral Candidate in Govan Mbeki
082 891 0717